Dr. Hartmut Braun becomes Managing Director

Thermo Electron Corporation, a world leader in high-tech instruments, stated today that Dr. Hartmut Braun has been promoted to become the Managing Director of the company"s Karlsruhe site, effective April 1, 2004. During the past year, the Karlsruhe site has been focused on streamlining its operations to realize greater synergies. This effort is part of the corporation"s "One Thermo" strategic goal to various businesses to enhance its position as a leading vendor of high-tech instruments. Assuming the management of the Karlsruhe site in addition to Dr. Braun"s global responsibilities as President of the Material Characterization business was another step in the final phase of Thermo"s reorganization. "Over the past ten years, Dr. Braun has steadily proven his ability to identify new opportunities and to provide a clear vision to his teams," said Mark Halter, President of Thermo"s Control Technologies Division. "Dr. Braun"s years of experience in both R&D and management are a major asset to our business. His appointment will give added focus to the company"s core competences in material characterization and temperature control, and it will also strengthen the facility"s position as one Thermo"s 20 key manufacturing sites worldwide." Dr Braun added, "Our highly qualified manufacturing team is focused not only on developing and delivering innovative instruments, but also on making customers successful in their businesses. As we prepare to expand our presence in the global material characterization market, we will continue to focus on those actions that have brought Thermo success to date -- solving customer problems."